Not since the 1930s and the New Deal has the United States government taken such an active role in operating the US economy. What better year to take your required course in government! After the exciting election of 2008, the US government has gotten down to work to pull us out of our economic tailspin and return us to a period of growth. What tools does the government have to affect our lives? How is their work done on our behalf? Through the lens of government action, we will study the American political process and its connection to citizens. We will assess this process in terms of effectiveness and democratic principles. In addition, we will be examining many important issues arising on both the local and national political scene that will affect us for years to come. This course will allow us to look critically at these events in order to learn about our governments (local, state and US), the political process and civic life. We will look at the concepts of citizenship in light of responsibility and power. We will also examine the court systems, civil rights and how different levels of government operate. COURSE OBJECTIVES: § The student will demonstrate understanding of the relationship between government, politics and civic life. § The student will demonstrate understanding of the philosophical and historical foundations of the United States’ political system. § The student will demonstrate understanding how power and responsibility are geographically distributed, shared and limited in the United States political system. § The student will demonstrate understanding how the United States’ political system provides citizens with choice and opportunities for participation. § The student will demonstrate understanding how power and responsibility are functionally distributed, shared, and limited in the United States’ political system. § The student will demonstrate understanding of the importance of law in protecting the civil liberties and civil rights of individuals in United States’ society. § The student will demonstrate understanding of the major domestic issues facing citizens nationally, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and in Lancaster. WORKS STUDIED IN COURSE: Remy, Richard C. United States Government: Democracy in Action. Columbus: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill Companies, 2003. SUPPLEMENTAL TEXTS: None BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS: Daily expectations 1. Each student is to keep an open but critical mind to new ideas, concepts and topics covered throughout the year.
2. Respect for one another in classroom discussions, groups, projects, especially as relates to gender, sexual orientation, ethnic background or disability.
3. Class participation
4. Completion of assignments
5. Prepared to learn: equipped and ready.
6. Punctuality. In seats by the bell. Stay in your seats until I dismiss you.
7. Compliance with the MIT Code of Conduct and the “Big 6”.
8. Appropriate and constructive use of technology in the classroom.
Attendance 1. Attendance in class is critical to success in this class, but in the event of excused absence, students will be able to hand in some late assignments. 2. All make-up work is the responsibility of the student. Assignments are posted at the rear of the classroom and on unit assignment sheets. See Mr. Selch before or after class, if time allows, or before or after school with questions. Do not interrupt class to get make-up work. 3. All approved make-up work must be handed in to Mr. Selch within 3 days of your return to school. Only make-up work due during excused absences will be graded. Make-up tests must be taken either before or after school, not during class period within 3 days of student return to class. Notebook 1. Students are expected to supply their own spiral notebook for this class. A high quality notebook is suggested to survive for the whole year of use (you may need 2). DO NOT plan to share this notebook with other classes. 2. Note-keeping and organization of the notebook is the responsibility of the student. All reading assignments will be summarized by students in their notebook. 3. Notebooks are collected twice each marking period and graded as part of your class grade. Neatness and organization will be part of the grade. Notebook grade counts 20% of your marking period grade. Homework Homework is fundamental to the learning process. It reinforces the topics as well as introduces new material. Assignments may be reading, writing, watching the news. Be prepared to turn in your assignments at the beginning of the period. Late assignments will NOT get any credit. If you do not produce your homework within the allotted time, you will earn a zero on the assignment. Although homework counts for only 10%, failure to do homework assignments will degrade your ability to learn the content of this class and will likely result in poor quiz, test and exam grades. ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENTS: Each chapter will end with a chapter test. In addition there will be quizzes on reading assignments, daily in-class writing activities, take home essays, and various research and performance projects. See above for information on assessment of your notebook. GRADING POLICY: 1. Grades are registered by their numerical value in the grade book. 2. Failure to do an assignment, test or project by the deadline set by Mr. Selch could result in a ZERO. All work due and not handed in by the end of the marking period will receive a ZERO. 3. Grade sheets will be posted occasionally to inform students of their grades. Students can inquire about their grades before or after school. (Parents are encouraged to register for computerized “Home Access” to grades. Apply in main office with ID) 4. Grade weighting: Tests and projects 50%, Homework 10%, Quizzes 15%, In-class Assignments 5% and Notebook 20%. 5. Curriculum-based assessments: homework (no more than 10% of student’s grade), quizzes, unit tests, in-class presentations, essays, speeches and authentic assessments (such as brochures, posters and PowerPoint presentations). 6. A course Mid-Term and Final Exam will be administered to all students and will count for 10% of the student’s second- and fourth-marking period grade, respectively. 7. The Grading Scale will follow district guidelines adopted 7/13/06:
Letter
Grade
Grading Scale (Teachers)
Quality Points (QP) (Pentamation)
A
93-100
4.00
A-
90-92
3.67
B+
87-89
3.33
B
83-86
3.00
B-
80-82
2.67
C+
77-79
2.33
C
73-76
2.00
C-
70-72
1.67
D+
67-69
1.33
D
63-66
1.00
D-
60-62
1.00
F
59 or below
0.00
pLAGIARISM POLICY/HONOR POLICY: Cheating will not be tolerated. Always paraphrase. If you copy verbatim out of the book you are plagiarizing thus earning a ZERO. Also see the McCaskey Student Handbook. TECHNOLOGY: Mr. Selch teaches in a technology rich classroom as part of the Classrooms For the Future. All students are expected to become active users of technology. This will involve student submission of assignments online, use of “blogs”, “wikis”, email and the World-wide Web. Students will be expected to participate fully in the use of 21st Century learning. As such, all students will comply with School District of Lancaster Terms of Use of Technology as well as classroom rules. Students will also subscribe to appropriate and respectful norms of communication online. Failure to comply will subject to disciplinary action as defined by the Student Handbook and the possibility of student being denied use of technology. Students forbidden from the use of technology can fail to engage in the learning activities required for the successful completion of this course.
Syllabus for United States Government
McCaskey Institute of Technology
McCaskeyEast High School
Periods 5, 7
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Not since the 1930s and the New Deal has the United States government taken such an active role in operating the US economy. What better year to take your required course in government! After the exciting election of 2008, the US government has gotten down to work to pull us out of our economic tailspin and return us to a period of growth. What tools does the government have to affect our lives? How is their work done on our behalf? Through the lens of government action, we will study the American political process and its connection to citizens. We will assess this process in terms of effectiveness and democratic principles. In addition, we will be examining many important issues arising on both the local and national political scene that will affect us for years to come. This course will allow us to look critically at these events in order to learn about our governments (local, state and US), the political process and civic life. We will look at the concepts of citizenship in light of responsibility and power. We will also examine the court systems, civil rights and how different levels of government operate.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
§ The student will demonstrate understanding of the relationship between government, politics and civic life.
§ The student will demonstrate understanding of the philosophical and historical foundations of the United States’ political system.
§ The student will demonstrate understanding how power and responsibility are geographically distributed, shared and limited in the United States political system.
§ The student will demonstrate understanding how the United States’ political system provides citizens with choice and opportunities for participation.
§ The student will demonstrate understanding how power and responsibility are functionally distributed, shared, and limited in the United States’ political system.
§ The student will demonstrate understanding of the importance of law in protecting the civil liberties and civil rights of individuals in United States’ society.
§ The student will demonstrate understanding of the major domestic issues facing citizens nationally, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and in Lancaster.
WORKS STUDIED IN COURSE:
Remy, Richard C. United States Government: Democracy in Action. Columbus: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill Companies, 2003.
SUPPLEMENTAL TEXTS:
None
BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS:
Daily expectations
1. Each student is to keep an open but critical mind to new ideas, concepts and topics covered throughout the year.
2. Respect for one another in classroom discussions, groups, projects, especially as relates to gender, sexual orientation, ethnic background or disability.
3. Class participation
4. Completion of assignments
5. Prepared to learn: equipped and ready.
6. Punctuality. In seats by the bell. Stay in your seats until I dismiss you.
7. Compliance with the MIT Code of Conduct and the “Big 6”.
8. Appropriate and constructive use of technology in the classroom.
Attendance
1. Attendance in class is critical to success in this class, but in the event of excused absence, students will be able to hand in some late assignments.
2. All make-up work is the responsibility of the student. Assignments are posted at the rear of the classroom and on unit assignment sheets. See Mr. Selch before or after class, if time allows, or before or after school with questions. Do not interrupt class to get make-up work.
3. All approved make-up work must be handed in to Mr. Selch within 3 days of your return to school. Only make-up work due during excused absences will be graded. Make-up tests must be taken either before or after school, not during class period within 3 days of student return to class.
Notebook
1. Students are expected to supply their own spiral notebook for this class. A high quality notebook is suggested to survive for the whole year of use (you may need 2). DO NOT plan to share this notebook with other classes.
2. Note-keeping and organization of the notebook is the responsibility of the student. All reading assignments will be summarized by students in their notebook.
3. Notebooks are collected twice each marking period and graded as part of your class grade. Neatness and organization will be part of the grade. Notebook grade counts 20% of your marking period grade.
Homework
Homework is fundamental to the learning process. It reinforces the topics as well as introduces new material. Assignments may be reading, writing, watching the news. Be prepared to turn in your assignments at the beginning of the period. Late assignments will NOT get any credit. If you do not produce your homework within the allotted time, you will earn a zero on the assignment. Although homework counts for only 10%, failure to do homework assignments will degrade your ability to learn the content of this class and will likely result in poor quiz, test and exam grades.
ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENTS:
Each chapter will end with a chapter test. In addition there will be quizzes on reading assignments, daily in-class writing activities, take home essays, and various research and performance projects. See above for information on assessment of your notebook.
GRADING POLICY:
1. Grades are registered by their numerical value in the grade book.
2. Failure to do an assignment, test or project by the deadline set by Mr. Selch could result in a ZERO. All work due and not handed in by the end of the marking period will receive a ZERO.
3. Grade sheets will be posted occasionally to inform students of their grades. Students can inquire about their grades before or after school. (Parents are encouraged to register for computerized “Home Access” to grades. Apply in main office with ID)
4. Grade weighting: Tests and projects 50%, Homework 10%, Quizzes 15%, In-class Assignments 5% and Notebook 20%.
5. Curriculum-based assessments: homework (no more than 10% of student’s grade), quizzes, unit tests, in-class presentations, essays, speeches and authentic assessments (such as brochures, posters and PowerPoint presentations).
6. A course Mid-Term and Final Exam will be administered to all students and will count for 10% of the student’s second- and fourth-marking period grade, respectively.
7. The Grading Scale will follow district guidelines adopted 7/13/06:
Grade
(Teachers)
(Pentamation)
Cheating will not be tolerated. Always paraphrase. If you copy verbatim out of the book you are plagiarizing thus earning a ZERO. Also see the McCaskey Student Handbook.
TECHNOLOGY:
Mr. Selch teaches in a technology rich classroom as part of the Classrooms For the Future. All students are expected to become active users of technology. This will involve student submission of assignments online, use of “blogs”, “wikis”, email and the World-wide Web. Students will be expected to participate fully in the use of 21st Century learning. As such, all students will comply with School District of Lancaster Terms of Use of Technology as well as classroom rules. Students will also subscribe to appropriate and respectful norms of communication online. Failure to comply will subject to disciplinary action as defined by the Student Handbook and the possibility of student being denied use of technology. Students forbidden from the use of technology can fail to engage in the learning activities required for the successful completion of this course.